Dyson V11 Outsize Review

Dyson has redefined how we view stick vacuums. First, the V11 Torque Drive was one of a handful of cordless vacuums that could deep-clean carpets.

Now, it’s the V11 Outsize – basically a jumbo version of the Torque Drive, with more size, power, capacity, and runtime.

But is it worth the premium cost over the previous V11 version? I’ve put it through our usual series of tests to find out.

Introduction to the Dyson V11 Outsize

After Dyson introduced the V11 Torque Drive, I was curious to see how they would top it, since it was already one of the better-performing cordless vacuums they had designed.

Then comes the Outsize, which is a super-sized version of the Torque Drive.

Dyson took the V11 Torque Drive and gave it a size boost. This model has a more powerful motor, improved range, and a larger dustbin.

Update [May 20, 2021]: Recently tested the V15 Detect, Dyson’s latest cordless vacuum. Check this link for the complete review. Spoiler alert: it has more power than the Outsize!

The result is a giant cordless vacuum that can rival an upright with dirt volume. Just look at the V11 Torque Drive and Outsize side by side.

Unfortunately, the increase in size also adds significant weight.

One issue with traditionally designed cordless stick vacuums with the motor and handle on top is the handle weight—the Outsize tips the scales at 4.85 pounds, which can wear on your arm during extended use.

Usability and Interface

Dyson retains the interactive LCD screen in all Outsize options.

The Origin (gold) and Outize (red) have the same screen with a single button to toggle between three different power levels – eco, auto, and boost.

Like the Torque Drive, it also has the Dynamic Load Sensor that automatically increases suction when it detects carpet.

It has the same trigger switch as earlier V-series models, but the trigger is curved inward if you look closely, which I didn’t like.

One issue is the potential discomfort if you pull at the wrong spot, either the top or the bottom part.

Filtration

As with all Dyson cordless vacuums, the V11 Outsize claims to have a sealed system, which means allergens should not seep through.

I tested this claim using a fog machine, and the Outsize passed the test, and there were no visible leaks.

Here’s a close look at the filter with the pre- and post-motor fused as a single piece.

The pre-motor part is on the right, with the HEPA portion (where my hand is) on the left.

While Dyson says that its filter will last the vacuum’s lifetime, pay careful attention to this portion at the end of the filter (area with folds).

The HEPA part is primarily made of a paper element, and it may degrade over time with repeated washing.

If you see this part degrade, buy a replacement immediately. Or better yet, buy a few extra filters just in case.

Cleaning nozzle

The Outsize retains the same cleaning nozzle with the adjustable gates, only bigger – 12.6″ to be exact, which rivals most upright vacuums.

Related: Dyson V10 vs. V11 Comparison

Being wide helps it cover a lot of ground in fewer passes. It retains the same ball design, so the steering feel is identical to the Torque Drive model. Strangely, it steers more smoothly on hard floors than on carpet.

It’s one of a handful of cordless vacuums that could handle big messes like this without clogging.

Mess like this would easily clog other vacuums.

I tried the same mess with the V10 and V11, which clogged the dustbin’s inlet.

This isn’t an issue with the Outsize due to its sheer size.

However, this tool isn’t the best for hard surfaces, not because it can’t clean, but because it can scuff the surface.

If you look underneath, it lacks padding, so the risk of scratching is high.

Currently, the Outsize doesn’t have a soft roller option, but the Fluffy tool on the V10 is forward-compatible with it.

Ergonomics

One downside of Outsize’s massive frame is the extra weight it adds, especially to the handle. The handle weight is around 4.85 pounds. So using this vacuum is like carrying around a 5-pound dumbbell while cleaning – it’s a workout!

In handheld mode, it’s more challenging. Not much for cleaning surfaces, but the challenge is cleaning areas above your shoulder or vertical cushions of the couch.

Improvements over the Torque Drive

In this section, I’ll list the upgrades Outsize has over the Torque Drive version.

1. Higher airflow: The Outsize has around 10.45% more airflow than the Torque Drive.
2. Larger dirt volume: Dyson says the Outsize has 50% more dirt capacity—0.5 gallons (or 1.89 liters) —which is one of the highest of any cordless vacuum I’ve tested so far.
3. Detachable battery: All Outsize options have a detachable battery.
4. Extra battery: The red version comes with two detachable batteries and two separate chargers so that you can charge each battery simultaneously.
5. Wide brush roll: The Outsize’s brush roll is 12.6″ wide, or about 2.85″ wider than the Torque Drive’s.
6. Longer run time: Thanks to the larger capacity battery, the Outsize will run further – up to 85 minutes with the cleaning head attached on hard surfaces (eco-mode). Even in boost, it runs past the 12-minute mark.

How much power does the Dyson V11 Outsize have?

I use an anemometer to measure power, which I attach to the wand and nozzle.

Here are the results with the main cleaning head attached.

• Eco: 29.52 CFM
• Auto/Mid: 33.4 CFM
• Boost: 59.5 CFM

And the results at the wand.

• Eco: 33.3 CFM
• Auto/Mid: 41.07 CFM
• Boost: 66.65 CFM

The Outsize tops out at 59.5 CFM at the nozzle and 66.65 CFM at the wand – it’s one of the highest I’ve tested to date.

This high airflow translates into better cleaning, which we’ll look into next.

Cleaning performance

I put the Outsize through a gamut of tests to see how well it picks up surface, embedded debris, and spoiler alert; it did very well.

• Overall: 100%
• Hard floor (surface): 100%
• Carpet (surface): 100%
• Sand on hard floor: 100%
• Deep cleaning: 100%

It’s the first cordless vacuum I’ve tested, and it’s straight 100% with the tests above. The high airflow and excellent agitation are primary reasons it earned perfect scores.

However, I will further point out potential issues, like the lack of a seal behind the brush.

Hard floor results

• Quaker oats: 100%
• Coffee grounds: 100%
• Quinoa: 100%
• Pet litter: 100%

The adjustable gates of the Outsize enable it to pick up large quantities of debris. But the downside is the need to move the lever to adjust the clearance.

I used the eco setting for some tests (like coffee grounds and Quaker Oats) and still picked up 100%.

For heavier debris like pet litter, you’ll need to use the higher setting (mid/auto or boost) to clean. It left a trail (with the pet litter test) after the initial forward pass. But it picked up everything in subsequent passes.

Sand on hard floor results

Next, we’ll look at how well the V11 Outsize deals with sand. I spread 50 grams worth on a test area to see how much it cleans.

It averaged 100% across two tests. I used the middle setting during the first test, and it left a trail after the initial pass. But it picked up everything in the subsequent runs.

There were no trails when I used the boost (or highest) setting.

Regardless, I would not recommend using this vacuum on hard surfaces with sand, as it can stick to the wheels and further increase the risk of scuffing.

Edge cleaning

Another strength of the Outsize is its ability to clean debris at the edges thanks to its wide path and high airflow.

Check the before-and-after photos below.

It picked up all the coffee grounds I scattered in this area and every piece of debris that spilled into the quarter-inch crevice.

Hair wrap test

The Outsize’s broad and chunky brush bodes well for avoiding hair tangles. I tested it on four different lengths—five-, seven-, nine-, and thirteen-inch strands —and here are the results.

• 5-inch test: 100% inside the dustbin, 0% on the brush
• 7-inch test: 99% inside the dustbin, 1% on the brush
• 9-inch test: 100% inside the dustbin, 0% on the brush
• 13-inch test: 13% inside the dustbin, 87% on the brush

Here’s how much hair wrapped around the brush after the five, seven, and nine-inch tests.

After the first three tests, I decided to check the Outsize brush’s limits, and it turned out to be 13 inches, which is impressive.

Unfortunately, the V11 Outsize didn’t do as well resisting tangles from 13-inch hair strands.

Rarely have I encountered hair strands that long unless my wife forgets to cut her hair.

This much hair tangle resistance means the Outsize will do a good job of cleaning pet hair.

Carpet results

Now, let’s look at how well the Outsize cleaned the surface and embedded dirt on the carpet.

Low pile results

• Quaker oats: 100%
• Coffee grounds: 100%
• Quinoa: 100%
• Pet litter: 100%

Similar to hard surfaces, the Outsize did exceptionally well at picking up debris on low pile carpet. It’s the first time a cordless vacuum aced all these tests. Please note that most of these experiments are done with the middle or auto setting.

Mid pile results

• Quaker oats: 100%
• Coffee grounds: 100%
• Quinoa: 100%
• Pet litter: 100%

The results for mid pile are similar to those for low pile. Again, it’s proof of Outsize’s ability to clean carpet, even on the middle setting. Even with fine debris like coffee grounds, it managed to pick up everything.

Deep cleaning results

Lastly, in this section, we’ll look at the deep cleaning results. I used 100 grams of fine sand on mid-pile carpet to check how much the Outsize would pick up.

I tested it on all three power settings – eco, auto, and boost and the results are listed below.

• Eco: 90%
• Mid/Auto: 100%
• Boost: 100%

Even at the lowest setting, the Outsize got an impressive 90%, indicating sufficient airflow and agitation. However, in my opinion, the best setting is auto with the gates completely shut if your carpet needs a deep clean.

Using the max setting with the gates shut makes the Outsize hard to push – keep this in mind.

How long will the Dyson V11 Outsize run?

Dyson says the V11 Outsize has a 60-minute runtime, extending to 120 minutes with the red variant (two batteries).

However, that number is somewhat underrated. I tested the run time by running the vacuum until the battery was empty, and here are the results.

All the results above are with the main nozzle attached.

Even with the cleaning head, it ran up to 85 minutes in eco mode. It has usable power and agitation on carpet, as seen in the cleaning test results.

In boost mode, it still ran longer than the Torque Drive at 12 minutes, which equates to 24 minutes with the extra battery.

How noisy is the V11 Outsize?

Don’t expect the Outsize to be docile. The powerful motor means it will be noisy. However, the good news is it isn’t the noisiest cordless I’ve tested.

I used a sound meter with the main nozzle attached, and here are the results.

• Eco: 73.5 dB
• Auto/Mid: 75 dB
• Boost: 78.8 dB

It’s still below the 80-decibel level – quieter than the Lupe Pure I’ve tested earlier.

Availability of parts

The good news for Dyson is the abundance of replacement parts – both OEM and aftermarket. You can easily purchase components such as the filter, battery, and attachments from online stores like Amazon, eBay, and Walmart. If an OEM-spec part is too expensive, you can opt for a cheaper third-party option.

As for attachments, all Dyson cordless vacuums have interchangeable tools from the V7 to the V11. So you can buy any part within the range, and it will fit the Outsize – yes, even the cleaning nozzle.

Tools and Attachments

The Outsize comes with various tools, enabling it to clean above floors. These include the following:

1. Cleaning head
2. Mini turbo brush
3. Crevice tool
4. Combination tool
5. Upholstery tool
6. Soft dusting brush
7. Wand
8. Wall-mountable dock
9. Charger

Please note that the tool options will vary depending on what variant you select. So the tools above are from the Outsize origin model, which comes with a single battery. The Outsize red comes with two batteries, so take note before purchasing.

Product Specifications

Where can I buy the Dyson V11 Outsize?

You can buy the Outsize from online stores like Amazon. Please check the link below for more information.

• Dyson V11 Outsize on Amazon

Disclaimer: I will earn a commission if you purchase through the link above, but at no extra cost to you, so it’s a win-win for us!

Some FAQs about the Dyson V11 Outsize

I’ll answer some questions about the V11 Outsize in this section.

What’s the difference between the Dyson V11 Outsize and Absolute?

Both variants are similar products with dustbin size and power as each has the same rated power output at 220 air watts and 0.5-gallon dirt volume.

However, there will be variations with the tools you’ll get.

The most significant difference is that the Absolute+ comes with the laser slim fluffy attachment, similar to the V15 Detect, which flashes a green light to amplify dust and debris, making vacuuming more efficient.

I’m guessing the V11 Outsize’s laser slim attachment will only work with this variant. THE GREEN LASER DIDN’T FLASH when I tried using the V15’s attachment in the V10 and V11.

So I think the same will happen if you try using the Outsize Absolute’s laser slim on other variants.

Is the Dyson V11 Outsize worth it?

One thing that may hold you back from purchasing this cordless vacuum is the astronomical cost. The question is, is it worth it?

Whether or not it is will depend on what your expectations are and the need.

I would not recommend the Outsize inside homes with only hard surfaces since the main nozzle isn’t the best option for cleaning such. It lacks padding, which makes it susceptible to scratching the surface.

While the high airflow enables it to clean even tricky stuff like sand, the potential of scuffing is high.

This cordless stick vacuum is best used on carpet, where its deep-cleaning capabilities will shine.

It will clean embedded dirt, even on the middle setting, and it resists hair tangles – up to 9 inches – so it’s suitable for pet hair.

4 Reasons to buy the Dyson V11 Outsize

• Extended run time: In my tests, I lasted for about 85 minutes with the main nozzle attached.
• Large capacity dustbin: The 1.89-liter capacity means fewer trips to the trash bin and more time cleaning floors.
• Excellent at cleaning embedded dirt: The high airflow and agitation make this an excellent alternative for cleaning carpet – surface or embedded debris.
• Detachable battery: There’s no need to remove any bolts to remove the battery. The Outsize has a quick-release lever, making it easier to remove the battery.

The Verdict: Outstanding Option for Cleaning Carpet

Despite its bulkiness and weight, the Dyson V11 Outsize is an excellent carpet-cleaning vacuum with usable power even in lower settings.

Ergonomics takes a hit with the extra weight, but with the benefits of having a larger capacity and better range.

The 4.85-pound handle weight makes it tiring to use for extended periods, but it’s one of the best cordless vacuums for carpet cleaning, with upright-like deep-cleaning properties.

If you accept this trade-off, then the V11 Outsize might be the cordless vacuum for you.